REVITALIZING THE COMPETITIVENESS OF TOURISM DESTINATIONS THROUGH INNOVATIVE MEGA ATTRACTIONS

The Revival of the Ancient Wonderof Colossos of Rod0s

George A. Barboutis MSc, MBA, DESS (CORNELL-ESSEC)Project Manager of the Municipality of RodosMember of Tourism Research Body of the Chamber of DodecaneseFounding Member of SITE Greek ChapterDirector of Marketing of RODOS PALACE HOTEL & CONVENTION CENTRE

THE TOURISM OF THE FUTUREMoving from Products and Services to Experiences

“Destinations will need to reinvent themselves in order to be competitive and grow their industry in the future. Destinations need to move beyond offering products and services (hotels and attractions) to inventing, orchestrating and delivering exceptional experiences to their clients that exceed their expectations”.

Dr. Auliana Poon MD of Tourism Intelligence International

THE FUTURE OF GREECE AS A TOURISM DESTINATION

How Greece as a tourism destination can reinvent itself in order to become competitive in the future?

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?

What MEGA-ACTIONS and MEGA-EVENTS would lead Rodos to enter successfully the tourism of the future?

THE CASE OF RODOS

The Revival of Myths

THE REVIVAL OF THE ANCIENT WONDER OF

COLOSSUS TO A CURRENT WONDER OF

THE 21st CENTURY

• One of the seven wonders of the ancient world

• Built as a tribute to the Sun God Helios, protector of the city of Rodos to celebrate freedom, unity and peace. (292 B.C.)

• Following the failure of siege of Demetrius Poliorkitis to the island

• Designed by the sculptor Chares of Lindos (70 feet tall)

(Mastrapas 1993)

“To you, O Sun, the people of Dorian Rodos set up this bronze statue reaching to Olympus when they had pacified the waves of war and crowned their city with the spoils taken from the enemy. Not only over the seas but also on land did they kindle the lovely torch of freedom.”

Dedicatory inscription of the Colossos

History of Colossos

Historical Evidence of Colossos

Scientific evidence is lacking on where he stood and how exactly he looked.

It’s a mystery… Stirred the fantasy of historians to praise the legendary

statue Numerous artists provided drawings according to their

imagination

(Mastrapas 1993)

WHERE DID HE ACTUALLY STAND AND WHAT DID HE LOOK LIKE?

FIELD OF IDEOLOGICAL CONTEXT

LANDMARK

ANCIENT WONDER

TRIBUTE TO THE SUN GOD OF HELIOS, FREEDOM &

PEACE

IN THE PAST

WORLD LANDMARK

WONDER OF THE 21st CENTURY

ECUMENICAL SYMBOL OF PEACE, HOPE & OPTIMISM

IN THE FUTURE HAS TO BE

FORThe creative revival of the wonder in a modern, contemporary work-of-art that will transform the invaluable intangible characteristics and convey the symbolic values of the legendary monument

AGAINSTThe recreation of a sterile imitation (replica) of

the ancient wonder referring to anachronistic and archaeological implications

The Concept

To create a contemporary (21st century) wonder To create a contemporary (21st century) wonder inspired by the Colossos the ancient wonder. It inspired by the Colossos the ancient wonder. It should be an evolutionary and a modern should be an evolutionary and a modern successor, borrowing the unique attributes, the successor, borrowing the unique attributes, the symbolic characteristics and the artistic values of symbolic characteristics and the artistic values of Colossos, attempting to become a feat of our Colossos, attempting to become a feat of our century. century.

It should become a symbol of the Greek civilisation It should become a symbol of the Greek civilisation and should be enriched with a current, diachronic and should be enriched with a current, diachronic idealistic content.idealistic content.

The Vision

““Just like the Colossos was built as a tribute to Just like the Colossos was built as a tribute to the Sun God of Helios to celebrate freedom and the Sun God of Helios to celebrate freedom and peace, its successor, standing at the crossroads peace, its successor, standing at the crossroads of three continents should become Rodos’ and of three continents should become Rodos’ and Greece’s contribution to the world. Emitting Greece’s contribution to the world. Emitting eternal light and symbolising ecumenical world eternal light and symbolising ecumenical world peace, sending messages of hope and optimism peace, sending messages of hope and optimism for the future generations to come”for the future generations to come”

SUGGESTED IMPLEMENTATION

Artistic Expression / Technical Construction

Artistic Excellence of Global Recognition and Worldwide Acceptance

Innovative Technological Achievement

SUGGESTED IMPLEMENTATION

INTERNATIONAL ARCHITECTURAL INTERNATIONAL ARCHITECTURAL & DESIGN COMPETITION & DESIGN COMPETITION ororCOMMISSION TO A FAMOUS COMMISSION TO A FAMOUS ARCHITECTURAL FIRM OF ARCHITECTURAL FIRM OF WORLDWIDE RECOGNITIONWORLDWIDE RECOGNITION

SUGGESTED IMPLEMENTATION

Location Visibility suitable to a grand scale landmarkVisibility suitable to a grand scale landmark Highly visible from air and sea emitting its eternal light Highly visible from air and sea emitting its eternal light

to the four points of the horizonto the four points of the horizon Ease of access to visitors without major problems in Ease of access to visitors without major problems in

transportationtransportation Avoid accessibility obstaclesAvoid accessibility obstacles to the harbour or the to the harbour or the

airport of Rodosairport of Rodos

SUGGESTED IMPLEMENTATION

Fund Raising Campaign Foundations Donations Subsidies Supports Collections

SUGGESTED IMPLEMENTATION

Communication Strategy Creation of an international media campaign to raise Creation of an international media campaign to raise

awareness and interest of the project worldwideawareness and interest of the project worldwide Mobilisation of Greek and international celebrities Mobilisation of Greek and international celebrities

(politicians, artists, intellectuals, actors etc.) to (politicians, artists, intellectuals, actors etc.) to promote the ideapromote the idea

Planning and creation of PR events at various stages of Planning and creation of PR events at various stages of the implementation of the projectthe implementation of the project

SUGGESTED IMPLEMENTATION

Honorary Selection Committee

• Worldwide Recognition• Transparency of Procedures • Global Acceptance

Distinguished Personalities under the aegis of the President of the Hellenic Republic

SUGGESTED IMPLEMENTATION

Future Revenues - Avoidance of Commercialisation Future Revenues should be offered to the constant maintenance

and expansion of the project with Actions concerning the dissemination of Greek History and concerning the dissemination of Greek History and

Hellenic Cultural HeritageHellenic Cultural Heritage Creation of a theme Museum of Colossos employing interactive Creation of a theme Museum of Colossos employing interactive

technologies to enhance guests experiencetechnologies to enhance guests experience

SUGGESTED IMPLEMENTATION

Future Revenues - Avoidance of Commercialisation Future Revenues should be also offered to Actions concerning the constant dissemination of the idea of World

Peace Establishment of a Cultural Peace Venue (EIΡΗΝΗ) that would include

Amphitheater, Conference Center for organising Conferences, Gala Dinners and other similar Peace Events

CASE STUDIES OF SIMILAR PROJECTS ABROAD

The Recreation of the ancient Library of AlexandriaIn the past: Accumulated the worldwide knowledge of the ancient times

The New Library of Alexandria

• A center of excellence in the production and dissemination of current knowledge and a place of dialogue, learning and understanding between cultures and people, aspiring also to be the world’s window on Egypt and Egypt’s window on the world, in the new digital age.

Created with the mission to recapture the spirit of the original with the aim to be:

The New Library of Alexandria

Cooperation of the Egyptian Government with UNESCO

Invitation of a Global Architectural Competition

Cost 220.000.000 U.S. Dollars in year 2002

Funds were raised from contributions of 27 countries

The New Library of Alexandria today possesses:

6 Specialised libraries

4 Museums

1 Planetarium

1 Culturama

8 Academic research centers

15 Permanent exhibitions

4 Art galleries

The New Library of Alexandria today possesses:

International Conference Center

Host of numerous institutions and

Venue of dozens of conferences, meetings, exhibitions and events

Receiving annually 1.500.000 visitorsfrom all over the world!

FUTURE PROJECTS

Rio 2016 Solar City Tower

Rio 2016 SOLAR CITY TOWER

Rio 2016 SOLAR CITY TOWER

Rio 2016 SOLAR CITY TOWER

Rio 2016 SOLAR CITY TOWER

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES OF THE PROJECT

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES OF THE PROJECT

CULTURAL & TOURISM ACHIEVEMENT

Communication Level Secures enormous and invaluable publicity for Rodos Island and Greece that cannot be assessed in monetary terms. Repositions in the most dynamic way Rodos and Greece in the world tourism map. Creates increasingly high demand for the destination, opens new horizons and paves the way for new tourism evolutions.

Artistic Creation Level Its colossal historical nature, challenges the most distinguished artists around the world to participate, securing the prestige that such a landmark deserves.

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES OF THE PROJECT

CULTURAL & TOURISM ACHIEVEMENT

Technological Level Promotes innovation, superseding the conventional methods of construction.

Foreign Affairs & External Relations The implementation of a Global Venue of Peace creates large pacific opportunities in the wider Mediterranean region.

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES OF THE PROJECT

CULTURAL & TOURISM ACHIEVEMENT

It can become a pioneering project providing initiative to start similar creative & innovative cultural and tourism projects, in all regions of Greece, with its invaluable historical and mythological wealth.

NATIONAL PROFITS

Contributes significantly to the higher recognition of our national treasures and appreciation of our cultural heritage, converting our introverted mentality to cultural extroversion.

Strengthens the feeling of national pride and makes us equal successors of our gracious history and our ancient predecessors.

EPILOGUE

It represents a moral duty to historical It represents a moral duty to historical Rodos, an ethical debt to mythical Rodos, an ethical debt to mythical Greece and an honorary obligation to Greece and an honorary obligation to humanity to offer a memorable humanity to offer a memorable achievement of international scale.achievement of international scale.

Much like the Olympic Games, it is Much like the Olympic Games, it is something so Hellenic that the whole something so Hellenic that the whole country has to benefit and at the same country has to benefit and at the same time so ecumenical that the whole time so ecumenical that the whole world has to gain!world has to gain!

INTERNATIONAL APPEAL